Pronunciation: mye-koe-fe-NOLE-ik AS-id
Generic Name: Mycophenolic Acid
Brand Name: Myfortic
Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets weakens your immune system, which may decrease your ability to fight illness or infection. It may also increase the risk of certain types of cancer (eg, lymphoma). Use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets only under close medical supervision.
Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets may cause birth defects or fetal death if taken during pregnancy. Women who may become pregnant must use an effective form of birth control while they are taking Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets.
Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets are used for:
Preventing organ rejection following kidney, liver, or heart transplants. Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets are used in combination with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets are an immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing the activity of certain cells that make up part of the immune system to help reduce the risk of organ transplant rejection.
Do NOT use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets or to mycophenolate mofetil
- you are taking azathioprine, cholestyramine, colestipol, or another medicine that contains mycophenolate or to mycophenolic acid
- you are taking norfloxacin and metronidazole together
- you have a rare hereditary deficiency of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HGPRT), such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have immune system problems or have been taking another medicine that may suppress your immune system
- if you have stomach or intestinal problems (eg, ulcers), or kidney problems
- if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, blood cancer (eg, lymphoma), or other blood problems
- if you are scheduled for a vaccination
- if you will be in close contact with a person who has shingles, another type of herpes infection, or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Acyclovir, azathioprine, ganciclovir, mycophenolate mofetil, or probenecid because they may increase the risk of Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets's side effects
- Cholestyramine, colestipol, cyclosporine, norfloxacin along with metronidazole, or rifampin because they may decrease Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets's effectiveness
- Live vaccines or oral contraceptives because their effectiveness may be decreased by Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets:
Use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets refilled.
- Take Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Swallow Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Do not take an antacid that has aluminum or magnesium in it within 3 hours of Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets.
- If you take a calcium-free phosphate binder (sevelamer), take it 2 hours after taking Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets.
- If you miss a dose of Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets.
Important safety information:
- Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets may cause blurred vision, drowsiness, or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Women who may become pregnant must have a negative pregnancy test within 1 week before starting Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets.
- Women who may become pregnant must use 2 effective forms of birth control for 4 weeks before they start Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets, during treatment, and for 6 weeks after they stop Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. Check with your doctor if you have any questions about effective birth control.
- Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are taking Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer (eg, lymphoma, skin cancer). Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths while you take Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. Tell your doctor right away if you notice a change in the size or color of a mole or if you develop any new or unusual skin growths.
- Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets may lower the ability of your body to fight infection and may increase the risk of severe or fatal infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, shingles, other herpes infections, cytomegalovirus (CMV), or other infections. Tell your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Some patients treated with Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets have developed severe and sometimes fatal infections, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) or severe kidney problems associated with BK virus infection. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of PML (eg, confusion or disorientation; depression; changes in thinking, strength, or vision; one-sided weakness; trouble walking or talking; loss of balance or coordination).
- Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of kidney problems (eg, change in the amount of urine produced, difficult or painful urination, blood in the urine). In kidney transplant patients, BK virus infection may cause loss of the transplanted kidney. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Some patients treated with Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets have developed a type of anemia called pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe or persistent tiredness or weakness, sluggishness, or unusually pale skin.
- Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Diarrhea may occur with Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. If you develop diarrhea, check with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to lessen this effect. Do not stop Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets without talking with your doctor.
- Do not change brands or doseforms (eg, tablets, suspension, injection) of Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets without talking with your doctor.
- Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and kidney function, may be performed while you use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially infection, stomach or intestinal bleeding, and trouble breathing.
- Caution is advised when using Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. Do not become pregnant while you are taking Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets or for 6 weeks after you stop taking it.
Possible side effects of Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Anxiety; back pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; mild stomach pain; mild tiredness or weakness; nausea; tremor; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the urine; bloody or black stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain or pounding in the chest; fainting; irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes (eg, abnormal thinking); night sweats; numbness, tingling, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands, ankles, or feet; severe headache, dizziness, or blurred vision; severe vomiting or stomach pain; shortness of breath; sluggishness; swollen glands; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, cough, sore throat); symptoms of urinary tract infection (eg, difficult, frequent, or painful urination; lower stomach or back pain); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual skin lumps or growths; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual weight loss; unusually pale skin; vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds; white patches in the mouth or throat; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Myfortic side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.
Proper storage of Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets:
Store Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Myfortic Delayed-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Myfortic resources
- Myfortic Side Effects (in more detail)
- Myfortic Dosage
- Myfortic Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Myfortic Drug Interactions
- Myfortic Support Group
- 3 Reviews for Myfortic - Add your own review/rating
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